Early Childhood Education and Care - Newman University College

EXPECT TO ACHIEVE 

Early Childhood 

Education and Care 

Newman University 

College’s courses in ECEC 

enable students to develop 

a critical understanding 

of and multi-disciplinary 

approach to key policies 

and practices.

02 Early Childhood Education and Care | Newman University College

Why study Early Childhood Education and Care at Newman 

University College? It is widely recognised in research that the 

care and development of young children plays an important role 

in their life opportunities. Fundamental skills such as speaking 

and listening, creativity and interpersonal skills are developed 

in this important phase of our lives. 

Newman’s courses in Early Childhood Education 

and Care at undergraduate and postgraduate level 

and the Early Years Foundation Degree enable 

students to develop a critical understanding of 

and multi-disciplinary approach to key policies 

and practices locally, nationally and internationally 

relating to the care and education of children from 

birth to eight years of age. 

All courses promote a research informed approach 

to early childhood education and care in both 

theoretical and applied contexts. Often full and 

part-time students from a variety of professional 

backgrounds study alongside each other, resulting 

in stimulating discussions of how policies and 

strategies impact on various settings. This enables 

students to gain an understanding of multi-agency 

working and improve the efficiency of the 

organisations they work in. 

Early Childhood Education and Care graduates 

have opportunities to become part of a changing 

professional workforce which is interdisciplinary, 

and encompasses early childhood, education 

and care in all its diverse aspects. Most graduates 

pursue careers in the fields of education, health, 

legal and social work in the public, private and 

voluntary sectors. Many are employed in children’s 

centres in diverse roles such as early years 

co-ordinators or family support workers. Others 

progress onto teacher education, either through 

a PGCE offered by Newman or employer based 

routes. There are also postgraduate professional 

training courses in youth work available for 

progression. The research based element of 

Newman’s programmes equips graduates for 

further research beyond their studies. 

Contents 

Early Years (non-school settings) Foundation Degree 04 

Early Childhood Education and Care BA (Hons) 06 

Initial Teacher Education BA (Hons) with QTS 

– Early Years Specialism 08 

PGCE Primary (QTS) 10 

MA Early Years 12 

Student Profiles 13 

Children, Young People and Families 

Research Centre 14 

Staff Profiles and Research Interests 15 

For more information visit our website: 

www.newman.ac.uk 

Newman University College | Early Childhood Education and Care 

03

Early Years (non-school settings) 

Foundation Degree 


Newman’s Early Years (non-school settings) 

Foundation Degree is a Children’s Workforce 

and Development Council (CWDC) sector 

endorsed programme, designed for 

practitioners working with young children in 

public, private, voluntary and independent 

childcare and education settings. 

It provides access to a higher level qualification 

and career development for people working 

as childminders or in group settings such as a 

nursery, kindergarten, preschool, community 

crèche environment or children’s centres. 

The programme develops professional skills, 

knowledge and understanding within the field 

of childhood. Being sector endorsed, the 

course has been developed in consultation with 

a range of practitioners and experts to ensure 

the curriculum provides students with the 

knowledge, understanding and skills necessary 

to work at Assistant Senior Practitioner level. 

This course is for any practitioner, working 

with young children in a public, private, 

third or independent sector setting who has 

a commitment to the aims of the course. It 

has been designed for those with relevant 

experience of working in the sector, as well 

as for those seeking progression routes into 

management positions in early years settings. 

Modules 

Core topics include: 

• The Independent Learner 

• Child Development 

• Enabling Early Learning 

• Supporting Transitions 

• Constructs of Childhood 

• Agencies Working with Young Children 

• Assessing Development 

• Working with Children & Families 

• Leading and Managing an Early Years Team 

• Play and the Early Years Curriculum 

• Research Methods. 

These modules may be subject to change. 

Entry Requirements 

You will need a level 3 qualification and at 

least two years experience in an appropriate 

setting is normally required. Please visit 

www.newman.ac.uk/entry for the latest 

information. 

Attendance 

You will attend taught sessions at Newman for 

one twilight and one evening session per week 

during term-time. 

Assessment 

A range of work-based assessment strategies 

will be used including portfolios, presentations, 

written reports and essays. There will also be 

directed study tasks regularly undertaken in 

your own time. 

Progression Routes 

After successful completion you may go on to 

the final year of a relevant degree programme, 

such as the Early Childhood Education and 

Care BA (Hons), see page 6. 




05

Early Childhood Education 

and Care BA (Hons) 

Full and part-time routes 


Early childhood, the quality of education, 

provision and care, and the roles and 

responsibilities of all those involved with young 

children, parents and families, all have a 

significant influence on children’s achievement 

and life chances. The last decade has seen the 

wider development of early years provision, 

changes and challenges in aspects of education 

and care, and the recognition that early 

childhood and children’s experiences must be 

supported by a highly qualified workforce. 

The Early Childhood Education and Care 

(ECEC) degree promotes a critical approach 

to all aspects of childhood, children, their care 

and education, in local, national and global 

contexts. Recent changes in children’s services 

in England have established the requirement 

for higher level qualifications and continuing 

professional development for those working in 

early childhood education and care related work. 

The ECEC programme is multi-disciplinary; 

it draws on aspects of philosophy, sociology, 

psychology and education studies. 

Part-time Route 

Newman recognises the importance of providing 

opportunities to all students with the ability to 

benefit from a university education. Therefore, 

we have developed a part-time Single Honours 

degree route in Early Childhood Education and 

Care. Studied over 4 years instead of 3 years, 

part-time study is a cost effective solution to 

gaining your degree as the flexibility it offers will 

provide you with the opportunity to combine 

paid employment with study. You will continue 

to study alongside full-time students and will 

benefit from the same academic expertise. 

A key feature of the Early Childhood Education 

and Care degree is a compulsory work-related 

strand. Both work placements and taught 

modules link study with employability skills and 

the needs of society at large. The compulsory 

work placement will equip you 

with valuable practical experience and ensure 

you graduate with the transferable skills 

employers demand. 

• Modules are assessed in a variety of modes 

such as individual presentations, reports, poster 

presentations and essays. There are no exams 

• The ECEC staff team have varied professional 

backgrounds, which reflect the move to interprofessional 

working in children’s services. 

Professional qualifications include social 

work, nursing, primary teacher, and Special 

Educational Needs support teacher 

• The course now reflects changes in the field 

of children’s services. It has been designed 

with four key strands to promote a critical 

awareness of key issues related to: diversity 

and inclusion; policy; families and child 

development 

• ECEC can be studied as either a 3 year full-time 

or 4 years and 1 semester part-time course. 


You will need a minimum of 260 UCAS points 

including at least two grade Cs or above at A2, 

or equivalent. Please visit www.newman.ac.uk/ 

entry for the latest information. 

Indicative Modules 

• Equality, rights and diversity 

• Constructs of childhood 

• Families in the social context 

• Working with families in the community 

• Work-based case study 

• Inclusive practice 

• Research methodology and design 

• Safeguarding children 

• Social policy 

• Dissertation 

These modules may be subject to change. 

Special Features 

• Staff in the ECEC subject area are involved 

with international projects with Germany, 

Romania, Poland and Hungary. You will 

be able to access resources related to the 

projects and these will assist with those 

modules that take global perspectives 

• You will undertake a work-based project at 

level 5. There is a wide range of placement 

opportunities, including international locations 

“The team on this programme 

provide a high quality student 

experience; they provide quality 

feedback to students.” 

External Examiner 




07

Initial Teacher Education 

Primary with Early Years 

Specialism BA (Hons) with QTS 


The 3-7 age range is crucial in terms of 

children’s development and learning. It is at 

this formative, and particularly receptive, stage 

of development that many attitudes towards 

learning are formed. 

The specialist Early Childhood Education 

modules have been created to ensure that you 

are challenged to think critically about this stage 

of learning, creatively responding to different 

pedagogies. You will be encouraged to rise to 

the challenge of meeting the range of needs 

of young children, developing knowledge, 

understanding and skills that will enable you 

to become an effective early years or primary 

practitioner. 

Module Information 

Through Early Childhood Education, Core 

Curriculum, Broad Curriculum and Educational 

and Professional Studies modules, you will 

develop a secure knowledge of the Early Years 

Foundation Stage and the Primary National 

Curriculum; and develop an understanding 

of progression through different age phases, 

including birth to three. The latest developments 

in education policy will provide an underpinning 

for your studies and time spent in schools 

and/or early years settings will enable you to 

observe experienced teachers and complement 

the knowledge, understanding and skills you 

develop, in lectures and seminars, in a practical 

and professional situation. 

School Experience 

Each year you will spend time in schools and/ 

or Early Years settings. Your placement begins 

with preparation days and these are followed by 

a block placement. As the course progresses, 

you will gradually take greater responsibility for 

planning and delivering lessons and activities, 

and for managing children’s learning and the 

adults who support it. 


• You will be taught how to prepare, deliver and 

evaluate sessions that will engage, motivate 

and inspire children 

• You will be encouraged to develop teamworking 

skills, essential for an integrated 

approach to learning and for work in a multiagency 

environment 

• Your assessment will comprise a combination 

of coursework, essays, presentations and 

reports, as well as observed teaching in Early 

Years settings 

• The four year route provides an opportunity to 

gain experience overseas or in an alternative 

educational setting 

• You will undertake specialist Early Childhood 

Education modules. 


You will need a minimum of 280-300 UCAS 

points including at least two grade Cs or 

above at A2, or equivalent. Please visit 


information. 

Recent and relevant work experience in a 

British state school prior to being shortlisted 

is required. We do not require a specific 

amount of time in school, however, the quality 

and variety of your personal statement is an 

important factor in the decision whether to 

shortlist you for tests and interview. Shortlisted 

candidates must attend an interview and 

pass literacy and numeracy tests at Newman 

University College. 

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance, 

meeting the requirements for capacity to teach 

and General Teaching Clearance provisional 

registration (Suitability to Teach Declaration) 

are also required. 

“The university’s partnership 

with both early years and 

primary settings is particularly 

well developed.” 





09

PGCE Primary (QTS) 


Newman offers you two routes through the 

Primary PGCE course: ages 3-7 or 5-11. Both 

routes focus on the study of teaching in all 

National Curriculum subjects, with an emphasis 

on English, maths and science. The Primary 

Foundation Stage/Key Stage 1 course includes 

a specialist study of the early years foundation 

stage curriculum and the distinctive pedagogies 

encountered in reception/nursery classrooms 

and children’s centres. For both routes school 

placements will be completed in relevant age 

phases, including nursery and reception classes 

for students on the 3-7 age range course. 

Whichever route you take, you will learn the 

principles of curriculum design and delivery, 

and theories of learning and teaching, alongside 

developing practical insights and skills in the 

effective teaching and assessment of young 

children. 

The course is designed to enable you to 

meet the requirements for qualified teacher 

status (QTS) specified by the Training and 

Development Agency for Schools (TDA). 

“...the students were confident 

and accomplished and a credit 

to the university.” 


Primary Partnership 

The Primary PGCE course is based upon 

Newman’s strong partnership with a number 

of primary schools in the West Midlands. You 

will be offered a series of training experiences 

linking different perspectives of primary teaching 

to the development of your practical skills in 

the classroom. Tutors are involved in both 

Newman based training and in supporting 

the professional development of students in 

partnership schools. Teachers are involved in the 

supervision of school experience and in teaching 

students how to make effective, critical and 

reflective evaluations of their work. 

Course Content 

The PGCE year (from early September to the 

beginning of July) consists of 36 weeks full-time 

study, at least 18 of which are spent in schools. 

Taught sessions at Newman University College 

are timetabled across two semesters without a 

half-term break. 

Teaching Experience 

School experience is central to the PGCE 

programme and is a feature of all three 

terms of the PGCE year. You undertake three 

placements in at least two primary schools 

providing opportunities to observe and practise 

contrasting methods and approaches. School 

experience includes observation of experienced 

teachers, a structured programme of group and 

whole class teaching and a series of directed 

activities to explore whole school issues. 


• On the 5-11 route you may also undertake an 

optional Global Citizenship Education module 

which includes a self-funded field trip to The 

Gambia. This exciting addition to the course 

enables students to gain the skills to teach 

citizenship from an international perspective, 

thereby supporting schools’ promotion of 

community cohesion and gain an appreciation 

of another country’s education system 

• Assessment is by coursework and through 

the evaluation and monitoring of professional 

classroom competencies 

• You will have the option to study for the 

Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies 

(CCRS) to enable you to teach in Catholic 

schools. 

PGCE Primary courses are very popular and 

can become full very quickly. Candidates are 

advised to apply through www.gttr.ac.uk as 

soon as possible after 1st September for course 

commencing the year after applying. 


You will need a good Honours degree (2:1 or 

above), or a recognised equivalent qualification. 

Please visit www.newman.ac.uk/entry for 

the latest information. Recent and relevant 

work experience in a primary setting is also 

required. 




11

MA Early 

Years 

This part-time postgraduate course has 

been specifically designed for early years 

professionals, and those who wish to develop 

their knowledge and understanding in the field 

of early childhood. 

The course will be of interest to experienced 

practitioners and managers working across 

the public, voluntary and private sectors. 

The programme will provide you with the 

opportunity to examine policy, research and 

practice in early childhood education, provision 

and care. It will enable you to research specific 

topics and themes directly relevant to your 

work. You will be encouraged to develop your 

higher-level skills including critical analysis, 

research, evaluation of policy and practice, 

management and organisation, working with 

others and strategic thinking. It will encourage 

groups of professionals to study together to 

promote multi-agency working whilst enhancing 

learning and teaching experiences. 

The programme offers high quality 

professional development delivered by a 

range of experienced tutors, group and 

individual support and the opportunity to 

work with professionals from diverse settings/ 

organisations. There are opportunities for 

individuals and groups to undertake workfocused 

research. 

The MA in Early Years has been designed to 

be combined with work. You will normally take 

one module per semester. The programme 

is delivered through approximately 30 hours 

of contact time per module, normally lasting 

8 weeks. The sessions will be taught during 

late afternoon, evening and some weekend 

sessions. 

Teaching and learning will integrate a range 

of strategies including lectures, workshops, 

seminars, directed activities, group and 

individual tutorials, discussion and debate, 

and the integration of e-learning. Assessment 

includes essays, evaluative reports, individual 

and group presentations, case studies, 

research reports and a dissertation. These 

strategies are also designed to enable the 

development of key transferable skills in the 

workplace. There are no examinations. 


You will need a good Honours degree (2:2 or 

above), or equivalent professional experience. 

You will need to be able to demonstrate a 

commitment to developing and challenging 

early years practice and policy. Please visit 


information. 



12 

Early Childhood Education and Care | Newman University College

Student 

Profiles 

“The graduate employment rate is also impressive and the fact that 

£20million is being invested in new learning facilities, including a 

new library shows how highly the students’ needs are regarded.” 

Scott Jezard 

Kamaljit Hayer 



student 

Scott Jezard 



student 

Early Childhood Education and Care gives you 

the opportunity to explore early year’s education 

for young children, which is recognised as being 

the foundation of their future learning. The theory 

side really helps to give an understanding of the 

background of early year’s education regarding 

where it has come from and how it plays a major 

role in today’s society. It is great when you can 

practice these theories during work placements. I 

thought it would be fascinating to see how children 

develop and gain knowledge, and to investigate the 

complex and demanding nature of education. 

The friendly approach of the University College 

helps students to become more familiar with one 

another and gives a much more personal feeling, 

which helps when you are an undergraduate. 

I believe to be a good educator you have to 

understand about all aspects of childhood, which 

is why the Early Childhood Education and Care 

course at Newman is ideal. The course will give 

me the knowledge to be a better, more empathetic 

practitioner. 

I think the on-line debate forums are great - through 

this method you can keep track of points being 

made and also hear other students’ point of view. 

I also like the resources available to us; the library, 

the lecturers and Newman’s virtual learning 

tool - Moodle. 

I am also a student representative at Newman 

University College and hope to help with ensuring 

the course satisfies everybody’s needs. 

Newman is in a great central location, quite a small 

University College, but I think this gives it a good 

sense of community and its harder to get lost! The 

graduate employment rate is also impressive and 

the fact that £20million is being invested in new 

learning facilities, including a new library shows 

how highly the students’ needs are regarded. 


13

Children, 

Young People 

and Families 

Research Centre 

Early Years research is fundamental to the mission of 

Newman University College. The subject area welcomes 

applications from suitably qualified students who wish 

to pursue postgraduate research degrees. 

Newman’s commitment to research is further 

enhanced through the Children, Young People 

and Families Research Centre. Centre staff will 

work with community organisations, schools, 

children’s services, third sector organisations and 

public bodies, both in the UK and abroad. Evidence 

gained from such research will directly contribute 

towards improving services, support change 

management processes and challenge dominant 

representations of family and community life. 

Examples of research work currently being carried 

out includes: 

• An EU funded research project involving 

partners in Germany and Romania looking 

at victims’ perceptions (women, children and 

young people) of the quality of support offered 

when experiencing violence, neglect or are 

trafficked 

• EU funded research involving partners from 

Poland and Romania exploring Play and 

Learning in the Early Years for Inclusion - the 

‘PLEYIn project’. 

• Partner involvement in the ‘Crossing Borders’ 

international research project exploring 

children’s play. 

Potential students interested in 

postgraduate research should contact: 

Professor Yahya Al-Nakeeb, 

Director of Research 

T: +44 (0) 121 476 1181 ext 2268 

E: y.al-nakeeb@newman.ac.uk 

14 

Early Childhood Education and Care | Newman University College

Staff Profiles 

and Research 

Interests 

Dr. Gill McGillivray 

Head of Early Childhood, Senior Lecturer 

in Early Childhood 

• PhD thesis: Practitioner to professional: de/re-constructions of 

professional identity in the early years workforce 

• PLEYIn: Play and Learning in the Early years for Inclusion - EU 

Leonardo Lifelong Learning Partnership project in collaboration with 

partners in Sibiu, Romania and Sieradz, Poland. 

Karen Argent 

Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood 

• PhD research investigates what guides Early Years practitioner choices 

in their selection of picture books with a disability related theme 

• PLEYIn: Play and Learning in the Early years for Inclusion. 

Julie Boardman 


• Wellbeing in the context of Higher Education 

• Child Development in the 21st Century. 

Jane Beniston 


• Young children’s problem solving skills 


Christine Collett 


• SEN, Disability and Inclusion 

• Behaviour Management 


Mark Cronin 


• Social Policy and the role of Men in ECEC 

• Safeguarding with a focus on Children in Care and Care Leavers. 

Dalvir Gill 


• Equality, Rights and Diversity 

• Listening to Children 

• Parental partnership policy 

• Community Cohesion and Social Inclusion. 

Dr. Teresa Harms 

Programme Co-ordinator for MA Early Years, 


• Research into the everyday lives of children and families 

• The Sociology of Childhood and the Family 

• Demography and social change 

• Research design and methods. 

Deborah Harris 


• PLEYIn: Play and Learning in the Early years for Inclusion 

• Music and how this supports children’s language development. 

Deborah Steele 


• Background in public health and child health 

• Arts and Health and Health Promotion 

• How the arts can affect attitudinal and behavioural change in health 

promotion to children and young people. 

Allison Tatton 

Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood, Programme 

Leader for Teaching and Learning Support 

Assistants Foundation Degree 

• Families who foster 

• Development of early literacy skills 


Linda Treadwell 

Programme Co-ordinator for Early Years 

(non-school settings) Foundation Degree, 


• Sociological constructions of childhood 

• Children’s early learning. 

Prof. Margaret Clark 

Visiting Professor in Early Childhood 

• Left-handedness 

• Literacy and Early Years Education. 

Dr. Kehinde Andrews 

Lecturer in Childhood and Early Childhood Studies 

• How racism in the education system manifests in schooling policy 

• Black supplementary schools, organised with African and 

Caribbean communities 

• Redefining the concept of Blackness so that it can used as a 

resource for African and Caribbean families in order to overcome 

racial discrimination. 


15

EXPECT TO ACHIEVE 

Early Childhood 

Education and Care 

Contact the School Office for more 

information on any of the programmes 

detailed in this brochure. 

T: 0121 476 1181 

E: info.earlyyears@newman.ac.uk 

www.newman.ac.uk

Early Childhood Education and Care - Newman University College

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